I am not sure how Vudu transfers film to video,but notice that they do not seem to have "native" setting for resolution. Using high performance scalers like a "Lumagen Radiance" more or less requires you to feed it the native resolution of the source so it can deinterlace and scale as needed for the display. It would seem to be most critical with SD material. At a recent Vudu training I believe the rep indicated 480p was the minimum,with options to 1080p.The only way to change the resolution is deep in the menus.
Anyone have any insight into the variables when combining Vudu with a high end processor.?
Thanks

I am not sure how Vudu transfers film to video,but notice that they do not seem to have "native" setting for resolution. Using high performance scalers like a "Lumagen Radiance" more or less requires you to feed it the native resolution of the source so it can deinterlace and scale as needed for the display. It would seem to be most critical with SD material. At a recent Vudu training I believe the rep indicated 480p was the minimum,with options to 1080p.The only way to change the resolution is deep in the menus.
Anyone have any insight into the variables when combining Vudu with a high end processor.?
Thanks

You're correct, there is not currently a native mode. Our SD content is nativley in 480p and the HD content in 1080p. Native mode is one of those things that has been requested by a handful of people (you're just the second I've heard from, personally), but hopefully it will be something we can provide some day. But to be honest, I've done some side-by-sides with VUDU's scaling and using the same content with a high-end external scaler, and our scaling compares very favorably. I've heard from others in the industry in this regard as well. Still, we understand that some of you would like to see such a feature. As with anything, it's a matter of priorities, time and resources.

You're correct, there is not currently a native mode. Our SD content is nativley in 480p and the HD content in 1080p. Native mode is one of those things that has been requested by a handful of people (you're just the second I've heard from, personally), but hopefully it will be something we can provide some day. But to be honest, I've done some side-by-sides with VUDU's scaling and using the same content with a high-end external scaler, and our scaling compares very favorably. I've heard from others in the industry in this regard as well. Still, we understand that some of you would like to see such a feature. As with anything, it's a matter of priorities, time and resources.

Thanks! The 1080p HDX material looks great!
Just to clarify. Your lowest resolution material is 480p.So you "interlace" 480p material to 480i for use on NTSC only displays?
DVDs are 480i native,that is why we like to use players that can output at that rate. The Lumagen and many others use expense circuits to match the progressive native resolution of the display it is connected to. On larger screens in particular this improves picture quality

You're correct, there is not currently a native mode. Our SD content is nativley in 480p and the HD content in 1080p. Native mode is one of those things that has been requested by a handful of people (you're just the second I've heard from, personally), but hopefully it will be something we can provide some day. But to be honest, I've done some side-by-sides with VUDU's scaling and using the same content with a high-end external scaler, and our scaling compares very favorably. I've heard from others in the industry in this regard as well. Still, we understand that some of you would like to see such a feature. As with anything, it's a matter of priorities, time and resources.

Great Patrick. Its good to know you guys are considering some of the things videophiles care about. I think the way the box continues to improve reminds me of how Directv does with their HDDVR, and thats a very good thing.

The Vudu is just over 1 year old, and in that time we have seen 7 software updates, taking us from 1.0 to the current 2.0 version released to the public last month (HDX was the highlight of the 2.0 software). I think we have been averaging 6-7 weeks between updates.

I love it. Directv does a great job adding new features thru public testing, and its weekly for new builds. Dish on the other hands is very slow and many times it buggy when the NR hits. I dunno even how cable does. Keep up the good work Vudu.

Starting next Tuesday, November 25th, VUDU will begin a limited time, Black Friday promotion featuring special pricing on select SD, HD and HDX titles. Yes, there will be some HD and HDX titles made available for purchase during this promotion.

Starting next Tuesday, November 25th, VUDU will begin a limited time, Black Friday promotion featuring special pricing on select SD, HD and HDX titles. Yes, there will be some HD and HDX titles made available for purchase during this promotion.

Starting tomorrow, we will have 24: Redemption available for purchase in SD, HD and HDX, all with 5.1. This is the extended edition with 17 minutes of content not shown in the broadcast version. As there is not a Blu-ray release of this, the HDX version will be the highest quality version of this available anywhere.

Today I found something new and unexpected on my Vudu that is a great reason to own a Vudu - access to an HD title that is still in theaters - Splinter. Splinter is still in theaters, but you can see it right now on Vudu. Winner of Screamfest 2008 Best Picture and Best Director, Splinter is the story of a couple trapped inside a rremote gas station by a parasitic organism that attacks and changes its victims into undead hosts.

I don't personally care for such films, but this is a direction I've been pushing for for some time - having movies available for rent on Vudu at the same time they are available in the theaters. Rental prices are a litlle higher then usual ($7.99 HD/HDX and $6.99 for SD), but it thrills me to see this industry breakthrough. I'd definitely be willing to pay such a premium to see more of this coming down the pipeline, and I think it will happen.

Question: Will I be able to take advantage of HDX movies if my TV does not support 24fps?

I have an older HDTV (3 year old Sharp) that does not accept 1080p/24. Can I still download HDX movies and output them at 1080i? Will it be any better than the non-HDX movies at 1080i? I'm hoping I would still benefit from the greater bit rates. Anyone know?

If all my internet connections in the home are done through my wireless router is it absolutely necessary for me to purchase the wireless kit from Vudu, or can I use my existing wireless bridge with a switch connected to it and then plug in my vudu to the switch via an Ethernet cord.

Up until recently, I have been very happy with the picture quality of the HD, and especially the HDX titles. The other night I rented a movie called "Brotherhood of Blood" in HD, and it was absolutely the worst picture quality I have ever seen on my screen. This title was worse than VHS, and I highly advise it be avoided. It was un-watchable for me, I FF through to see if the PQ improved, but no luck.

I am a bit puzzled, although I understand it was probably a really horrible source content, you think it would be screened, and downgraded at least to SD. I really feel ripped off especially since the charge was $5.99.

Now I am hesitant to rent, unless I am really sure of a title. Directv, allows a couple minutes preview, before you commit to buy. This allows time to check and make sure that the aspect ratio is proper, and the picture quality is decent. Vudu should offer the same option.

If all my internet connections in the home are done through my wireless router is it absolutely necessary for me to purchase the wireless kit from Vudu, or can I use my existing wireless bridge with a switch connected to it and then plug in my vudu to the switch via an Ethernet cord.

That should work with no problems. I have mine hardwired, but for the hell of it one day I connected my Xbox wireless adapter to my vudu and it worked.

"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be."
--- Abraham Lincoln